Peptide - Thrive Hormone Therapy

Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Typically, peptides contain less than 50 amino acids. Anything longer is generally referred to as a protein. However, there is no definitive molecular weight cutoff and the terms overlap. Key features of peptides:

• Short chains of amino acids
• Linked together by peptide bonds
• Usually less than 50 amino acids
• Range vastly in structure and function

Peptides play numerous important roles in the human body. Here are some examples:

• Hormones like insulin, oxytocin, and adrenaline are peptides that help regulate metabolism, reproduction, stress response, and more
• Neurotransmitters like endorphins are peptide signaling molecules in the nervous system
• Antimicrobial peptides form a key part of our innate immune defenses
• Some peptides act as cell signals or have enzymatic activity

The peptide bond is what links amino acids together, through a condensation reaction between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amine group of the next. Polypeptides form as more and more amino acids join: amino acid 1 → peptide bond → amino acid 2 → peptide bond → amino acid 3 → etc. The unique order of amino acids gives each peptide its distinct shape and function. The peptide can twist into secondary structures like α-helices and β-pleated sheets. Complex folding patterns emerge from interactions between amino acid R groups protruding from the backbone. There is huge diversity - peptides can be linear, cyclic, branched and take globular or fibrous 3D shapes. They can have anywhere from 2 to 50 constituent amino acids. This versatility allows them to play many biological roles. For instance, some peptides help give structure to cell membranes and bone matrix. Others bind to larger proteins or even DNA/RNA to regulate their functioning. Many peptides work via binding interactions - antimicrobial peptides disrupt bacterial membranes while some neurotransmitters modulate signaling by docking with receptors. There are even peptides being developed as drugs and therapeutics due to their potency and target specificity. In summary, peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. They are versatile biological molecules, playing integral roles in immunity, nerve signaling, structure, catalysis and more throughout the human body. Though small, they take on many shapes and functions based on their amino acid sequence. Exploring peptides helps reveal the fundamental workings of life.